River North Brewery Named Brewery of the Year, Wins 6 Medals at the 2026 U.S. Open Beer Championship

Okay, this is a big one.

The 2026 U.S. Open Beer Championship results are officially in, and River North Brewery has been named Brewery of the Year in the 1,001-2,000 barrel category.

We also finished second overall in the entire competition with six medals: four gold, one silver, and one bronze. We’re going to need a bigger trophy shelf.

2026 U.S. Open Beer Championship Winners at River North Brewery

• GOLD - Strong Ale: Bucket of Bolts

• GOLD - Dark Coffee Beer: Nightmare Fuel

• GOLD - Barrel-Aged German Lager/Baltic Porter: Single Cask Adrift on the Baltic

• GOLD - Extreme Beer: Matt’s Secret Stache

• SILVER - Imperial Porter: Hello Darkness

• BRONZE - Extreme Beer: Effed Up Quad

The U.S. Open Beer Championship is the third largest beer competition in the country, with breweries from across the United States and around the world competing in more than 180 categories and subcategories.

Finishing second overall would have been enough to leave us speechless. Being named Brewery of the Year on top of it? We’re still processing.

Things Got a Little Extreme

We don’t typically enter our extreme beers or many of our barrel aged creations into competitions. They’re bold, unconventional, and not always built to fit neatly into a judging box.

Apparently, that box had room this year.

River North took two medals in the Extreme Beer category, with Matt’s Secret Stache earning gold and Effed Up Quad taking bronze.

Matt’s Secret Stache was released for the Burns family going away party and disappeared almost as quickly as it arrived. If you were lucky enough to try this one of a kind blend, you already know why we’re still talking about it. And the name? Come on. It deserved its moment on the podium.

The Masterminds Behind the Medals

A huge congratulations and an even bigger thank you goes to head brewer and resident mastermind, Matt Malloy, and brewer, Heath McNeil.

Matt and Heath have mastered the bold, high gravity beers River North is known for, building depth and complexity while keeping even our biggest beers dangerously drinkable. These six medals are a well earned reflection of their talent.

Congratulations to Our Friends at Third Eye

Our friends at Third Eye Brewing had a massive day of their own. Third Eye was named Brewery of the Year in the 2,001-5,000 barrel category and finished first overall, earning the title of 2026 Grand National Champion.

Among their record setting wins were multiple versions of Kelly’s Private Stash. Apparently, the secret to award winning beer is putting “Stash/Stache” in the name. Brewers everywhere, please disregard. We’ve said too much.

Last year, we joined forces with Kelly and the Third Eye crew to brew Celestial Death, which earned silver at the 2025 U.S. Open. This year, the two breweries finished first and second overall.

Thank You

Colorado breweries showed up in a big way this year, and we’re proud to share the results with so many talented breweries from across the state.

Most importantly, thank you to our brew team, taproom crews, and everyone who has supported River North over the years. We get to keep making bold beers because you keep showing up to drink them.

Cheers,

Your River North Crew